Image created by Dr. Michael J. Miller
CrisprBits, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup, has developed PathCrisp, a CRISPR-based molecular diagnostic platform for the early detection of antibiotic resistance in hospital-acquired infections. The innovative technology promises rapid and accurate identification of resistance markers, crucial in intensive care settings.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge, with nearly 4.7 million deaths worldwide in 2021 linked to resistant infections, as per a study in The Lancet. In India alone, AMR-associated fatalities exceeded a million in 2019.
One of the most pressing concerns in hospitals is carbapenem resistance caused by New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), an enzyme that enables bacteria to break down last-line antibiotics. This significantly limits treatment options, leading to prolonged hospital stays, increased ICU admissions, and higher mortality rates.
PathCrisp was tested for its ability to detect carbapenem resistance in 49 clinical bacterial samples in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and Ashoka University. Published in Nature Scientific Reports, the study confirmed 100 per cent concordance between PathCrisp and conventional PCR-Sanger sequencing methods, establishing its reliability as a diagnostic tool.
Dr. Reety Arora, Principal Scientist at CrisprBits, emphasised the platform’s advantages, stating, “PathCrisp provides a fast and accurate alternative to traditional methods. Using CRISPR-Cas technology, it offers precise detection in under two hours without the need for costly equipment, making it ideal for point-of-care diagnostics.”
Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad, Global Medical Director, Swasti, and Co-Chair, WONCA South Asia Region – Research, highlighted the urgency for faster AMR detection. He stated, "Existing diagnostic methods take 24–72 hours, delaying critical treatment. PathCrisp enables direct detection from clinical samples without prolonged culture processes, allowing for timely and targeted therapy."
Vandana Hegde, Head of Business Development at CrisprBits, underscored the broader applications of the platform, noting, “PathCrisp’s simple workflow makes it highly versatile for healthcare, one-health, and surveillance settings. We aim to enhance its capabilities further with lyophilised reagents for room-temperature stability and multiplexed testing.”
With continued research, CrisprBits plans to refine PathCrisp for low-resource settings by enhancing reagent stability and expanding its diagnostic capabilities. As AMR continues to rise, this breakthrough technology offers a promising solution for improving patient outcomes and combating resistant infections worldwide.